Establishment of prediction table of parturition day by ultrasonography in Korean Jindo bitches

진도개에서 초음파검사에 의한 분만일 예정표 확립

Serial ultrasonographic examinations were performed on pregnant Korean Jindo bitches. Measurements of inner chorionic cavity diameter and fetal head diameter were made from pregnancy day 15 to parturition. These measurements were converted retrospectively based on the day of parturition (day 0). The data of inner chorionic cavity diameter obtained from day -42 to day -25 and fetal head diameter obtained from day -24 to day -1 were used to prediction of parturition day. Formulas for the prediction of parturition day using the method of least squares were derived. These formulas were then used to predict parturition dates based on single measurements of inner chorionic cavity diameter or fetal head diameter in 17 additional pregnant Korean Jindo bitches. Predicted date of parturition was then compared to actual whelping date. In the prediction of parturition based on inner chorionic cavity diameter, 7 of 10 bitches were coincided prediction date and actual whelping date, and the prediction was accurate to within 1 day in 3 of 10 bitches. The prediction of parturition based on fetal head diameter was accurate to within 1 day in 6 of 7 bitches and within 2 days in 1 of 7 bitches. In conclusion, the ultrasound measurement of inner chorionic cavity diameter and fetal head diameter are practical and accurate tool in the prediction of parturition.